A Beginner's Guide To Pokémon GO In 2023

Pokémon GO is always being refined and updated and with plenty of elements to enjoy from the mobile title, 2023 is a great time to jump in.

While some Pokémon GO fans are departing from the mobile game, there are always new players ready to embark on their own Niantic and Nintendo adventures. When it was first launched, the Pokémon spinoff game was seen everywhere. It was a fantastic title that was innovative and played to the rich history of the well-known franchise. Since its release, many new mechanics, features, and Pokémon have been added to the title as the developers look for ways to improve the player's options and opportunities.

2023 is a grat time to get into playing Pokémon GO, but newcomers might be daunted by the game considering it has already been out for many years. However, this beginner's guide will walk interested parties through the core elements of the game. From items to battles, from events to the Pokémon roster, each base will be covered so that any newbie can get a quick handle on how to interact with the beloved collecting experience. Despite the size of Pokémon GO, it's definitely not as daunting as it may first appear to be.

Getting To Grips With The Basics

Before downloading Pokémon GO it's vital to know what the app will want from a device and why it wants it. The Niantic game will want to interact with a device's location settings, alongside its media and pictures. However, all of these elements interact with gameplay. The very basic principle of the game sees players walking around their local area, catching Pokémon that appear on the map. It utilizes state-of-the-art Augmented Reality technology to make it appear as if the Pokémon has arrived in the real world, even though many players choose to interact with the game without using this feature. However, the use of the location is non-negotiable, because most of the mechanics of the game rely upon this. Players are able to interact with local landmarks, which are sometimes turned into Pokémon Gyms where they can battle local players, and Pokémon Stops where items may be accessed. These basic components are being copied by other rival titles, but Niantic really mastered the location features with some other essentials. When a player walks, for example, this is tracked on the app, bringing with it plenty of rewards.

Just like the most popular and replayable Pokémon titles, gamers are equipped with a Pokédex to fill up on their travels all the way to the Kalos and Galar regions. At the start of their journey, they will get to choose a starter Pokémon that will be added to their collection just like the original games. By collecting Pokéballs from local stops or item drops, or by buying them from the store, players can catch Pokémon in the wild and add them to their collection. As they collect, transfer, and walk buddy Pokémon, these battle-ready characters will provide the player with Candy. Candy can be used to both evolve and upgrade Pokémon, making them more powerful while adding to the Pokédex. To expand the roster further, players can also hatch eggs by walking a certain amount of kilometers. Rarer Pokémon might be found in these eggs and will be immediately added to the collection.

While collecting and traveling are both vital parts of gameplay, battles and raids are also not to be overlooked. At the start of the game, players will be able to choose to join a team between Mystic, Valor, and Instinct. While each grouping stands for slightly different values, ultimately these factions are especially useful when it comes to Gym battles. Players can use their Pokémon's skills to claim local Gyms from opposing teams. Players will then leave their own Pokémon to protect that location, gaining rewards each time they defend the Gym. There are other opportunities to battle as well, including player-versus-player online exhibitions, and pop-up conflicts against Team Rocket who appear in Hot Air Balloons. And the introduction of Raids has made Pokémon GO's Gyms even more vital. A boss Pokémon can overtake a location and local players can fight against it, to gain an opportunity to add it to their collection. Raids might include incredibly powerful characters, including Legendary Pokémon.

The Tools Of The Trade

Battling, collecting, and exploring are the three core elements of the title. While players can also trade their Pokémon with friends or focus on customizing the appearance of their characters, gameplay will be defined by those three components for the most part. Newcomers should know about the tools available to them to make this experience interactive and compelling.

Niantic listens to player feedback and is always adding ways to streamline gameplay. The Tracker tab was launched with the release of the game and is integral to any collector. In the corner of the screen, the app will let players know about the Pokémon that they can find in the local area. Those that have not been added to the Pokédex will appear in black. Players can use Lures or Incense to attract Pokémon to them, making more appear in certain areas, and increasing the likelihood of catching a new character. And the game is kitted out with a huge variety of berries and Pokéballs which can be used in the confrontation with the Pokémon. Gamers need to lure the Pokémon into a sense of security and throw the perfect ball to catch them. The game rewards accuracy and spin throws, leading to the iconic 'Gotcha' moment.

Events And Updates For 2023

Niantic and Nintendo are always updating the experience of Pokémon GO to make the most of their consistent fan base. Thus, it's always important to look out for what storylines and events are being released through the title. The player will be given challenges at different times of the year, which will correspond to a specific narrative and reward the player with experience points and items, alongside Pokémon appearances.

At certain times there will also be themed events that feature an abundance of a specific type of Pokémon, including the opportunity to catch Shiny iterations. Community Days, location-specific festivals, and exciting character debuts are all built into the 2023 schedule. As beginners come to grips with the principles of Pokémon GO, there's still always something new to learn and interact with. This helps make the mobile game exciting for players old and new alike.